WASHINGTON—What can track grizzly bears in Yellowstone, help McDonald’s find the right place to site a neighborhood restaurant, track hurricanes, and more? Washington, D.C. area students will be introduced to Geographic Information Systems (GIS), an innovative geography tool for the next century at National Geographic Society’s headquarters.

GIS is software that helps users visualize geographic situations and problems by mapping and analyzing large amounts of geographic data. GIS is used in every field, from government to transportation, education, environmental protection, health care and more.

Choose a map to learn more about GIS.

Special guests include Society Chairman Gilbert M. Grosvenor and noted consumer advocate Ralph Nader. They will participate in a demonstration of GIS software to the students.

One of thousands of events taking place on the first International Geographic Information Systems Day, the Washington event is co-sponsored by ESRI, the Association of American Geographers and the Society.

Related Web sites:
Education @ nationalgeographic.com
Map Machine @ nationalgeographic.com
The Association of American Geographers
ESRI
GIS Day